VP Kamala Harris stops in NC for first post-presidential debate stop

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Friday, September 13, 2024
VP Kamala Harris campaigns in NC after presidential debate
Vice President Kamala Harris made stops in Charlotte and Greensboro,

NORTH CAROLINA (WTVD) -- Vice President Kamala Harris was back on the campaign trail just days after the ABC News presidential debate.

Harris first stopped in for Charlotte on Thursday followed by a rally in Greensboro.

In Greensboro, Harris seemed more animated and the crowd livelier than had been the case in Charlotte.

"From the courtroom to the White House, my client have been the American people.," Harris said.

Harris, who has never been a business owner, jabbed at Trump on issues such as small business, bringing up a line from the debate about being given money from his father and then declaring bankruptcy.

"I will always put the middle class and working-class families first, I know where I came from," Harris said to applause. "I'm clear about that."

She added, "Donald Trump has a different plan, just google Project 20205," echoing a false claim about Trump that's been consistently maintained by Democrats throughout the campaign season.

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In the Greensboro crowd, Imani Arthur was enthused by Harris' remarks.

"Awesome. She's a great speaker, she'll be a great leader, hope everyone gets out and votes," Arthur told ABC11. "81 million fired (Trump); I can't believe he's still in the running. It doesn't make sense to me."

North Carolina A&T State University student Edward Davis will be a first-time voter. He was also in attendance.

"I came out to support. This is my first time voting, so it's a lot for me," Davis said. "It means a lot because I feel like Black people just in general had to work a lot to vote so I get to vote, so I'm 18 and get to do it. Means a lot."

Davis said seeing the candidate in person was a stark contrast to just seeing TV images.

"I feel like it's so different," Davis said. "The vibe when you are up close vs. when you're watching on TV. You really get to hear her and see everything in person ... feel the energy."

Earlier in Charlotte, Harris gave similar remarks, focusing on healthcare.

"You remember," she said, laughing with the crowd. "Concepts."

"We're 54 days to the end of this election. Concepts of a plan. Which means no actual plan," Harris said of Trump.

Harris punctuated this section with her line "We're not going back," igniting chants across the Coliseum.

In the back, a pro-Gaza protester began shouting "war criminal," holding up a black and white sign that read "17,000 children."'

In response, supporters shouted him down and held up "KAMALA" and "A NEW WAY FORWARD" signs until he was removed by what appeared to be staffers.

Harris also touched on presidential immunity and abortion before turning to the end of her remarks.

"We are the underdog," Harris said.

The visit to the Tar Heel state came two days after she and former President Donald Trump faced off in their first debate of the 2024 election, moderated by ABC News.

The debate was a chance for Harris -- who became the Democratic candidate after President Joe Biden left the race following his lackluster June debate performance -- and Trump to explain their policies on key issues. Here are some key takeaways from what happened at that debate.

Pool reporter Jasmine Wright of NOTUS.org contributed.